Electrical firearm



Aug. 7, 1945-. F. F.. LEININGER 2,381,547

ELECTRICAL FIREARM Filed Dec. e..1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 mllllulllll vvv IN ENT'oR BY mfwf@ ATTORNEYS F/oyde zijn er Aug. 7, 1945. F. F. LEININGER ELECTRICAL FIREARM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Filed Deo. e, 1941 lum a mmh f/oyd ez'fz'af P'atente'd Aug. 7, 1945 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE vELEQ'IRICAL FIREABM Floyd F. Laminier, Plant city, F1a. Application December 6, 1941, Serial No. 422,003

6 Claims.

This invention relates to firearms, and lits general object is to provide a light weight, compact, automatic, repeating, electrical ilrearm or shooting device that is primarily designed for use in self defense, particularly by bank ernployeeshmessengers, mail clerks and the like, while in the performance of their duties, in that the device can be instantly and repeatedly red, without the use of the hands or arms, and ,while in a standing or sitting position, with the arms and hands raised or lowered or otherwise held, as commanded by the assailant, as lthe device is .adapted to be attached to the person, and is rendered active merely by moving the legs to` gether for closing a switch mounted on one of the legs, preferably at the knee.

A further object is to provide a shooting device that can be wom under the clothing, withl out discomfort or detection, and is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely eiilcient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features ofy construction and in the combinationand arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in 4the appended claims.

ln describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating my device attached to the person for use.

Figure 2 is a front view of the ilring unit.

Figure 3 is a bottom edge elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4.-4 of Figure 2, Alooking in the direction of the arrows.v

Flyure 5 is a front view of the switch.

Figure Bis a similar view with the push removed from the switch.

Figure 'I is a rear View of the switch, with the leg encircling band or strap broken away to illustrate the ratchet means.

Figure 8 is an edge elevation of the switch.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken through the switch with the parts in normal position.

Figure 1li is a similar view with the parts in closed position.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view oi the electric circuit employed with my device.

Figure 12 is a view 'of a cartridge constructed for use with theydevice.

Referring to the `drawings in detail, and parbutton ticularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will .be

noted that the ring unit is of substantially flat circular formation and includes a body having a disk like plate I providing a rear wall formed 5 with a marginal flange 2 having ilttingly secured therein, in spaced relation to the plate I, a disk 3 of insulating material, and between the disk and the plate is a mass 4 of compact insulating material for conductor wires, as clearly shown in Figure 4. Hinged as at 5 to the nange 2 is a relatively ilat cartridge receiving and holding cylinder or magazine 6 that includes a flat rear face to normally bear against the disk 3 and the magazine 6 is held accordingly -by a spring latch arm 1 xed to the flange 2 diametrically opposite the hinge and provided with a substantially triangular shaped head receivable in a keeper notch 8 in the magazine. The head is shaped to facilitate its removalv from the notch, and to allow automatic latching action when the magazine is moved to closed position,

The magazine 6 is centrally recessed to vprovide an annular marginal portion 9 reduced inwardly from its inner to its outer edge and having an annular row of bores IB therethrough providing chambers for cartridges Il, rear ends of the bores are enlarged to provide seats for the rims of the cartridges, as clearly shown in Figure 4. Fixed to and extending through the disk 3 in an annular row for registration with the bores l when the magazine is closed, are headed contact or firing pins I2 having their outer ends projecting into the seat portions of thelbores to engage contact members providing electrodes I3 mounted in insulating blocks I4 secured to the rear ends of the cartridge shells for disposal therein, so that a spark gap is provided between the electrode I3 and the shell, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 12, which likewise illustrates that 'the cartridges are otherwise of the usual construction for use with small firearms, in that the shell is filled with powder I and mounted in the outerend of the shell is a projectile I6. The conductor wires which are indicated by the reference numeral I1 have one .of their ends connected to the headed ends of the contact pins I2, there being of course a wire for each pin, as shown in Figure 11, and the wires are sheathed from their passage through the body to provide a cable I8 that ex'- tends from the iiring unit to the switch,'as shown in Figure 1.

Adhesively or otherwise secured to the rear face of the body plate I is a disk shaped pad I9 of any suitable absorbent material such as felt,-

sponge rubber or the like for the purpose of acting as a shock absorber as will be apparent, and formed on the plate to extend from .diametrically opposite sides thereof are slotted ears having connected thereto strap members providing a belt 2| having suitable fastening means such as a buckle or the like for securing the belt about the body of the user with the firing unit mounted on the chest, as likewise vshown in Figure l. Adjustable shoulder straps 22 are provided for cooperation with the belt 2| for holding the unit in place.

The switch unit, as best shown in Figures 9 and 10 likewise includes a flanged circular body 23 similar to that of the firing unit, and fixed within the flange of the body 23 is a disk 24 of insulating material, having a marginal flange 25 formed thereon and bearing against the wall 26 to provide a space for a mass 21 of compact insulating material which has the opposite end portions ofthe Wires I1 embedded therein.

Rotatably mounted in and extending centrally through the wall 26 and the disk 24 is a shaft 28 having reduced threaded ends and an abutment member 29 between its ends, with the latter bearing against the disk 24. Fixed to the shaft by a collar 30 is a spring contact arm 3| normally spaced from but engageable with a contact ring 32 and the heads of an annular row of spaced contact pins 33, the ring being fixed to the disk 24 in the path of a contact element 34. while the pins 33 extend through the disk 24 and have the conductor wires I1 connected thereto.

Fixed about the margin of the disk 24 to extend forwardly therefromare spaced right angle stop lugs 35 of insulating material and which have inwardly directed portions 36 spaced from the disk 24 and disposed between the pins 33, as best shown in Figure 6. as well as arranged in the path of the contact arm 3|, as shown in Figure 9. Surrounding the abutment member 29 and having one end fixed thereto is a coil spring 31 of the clock type, and the opposite end of the coil spring is connected to a pin 38 extending inwardly from the arm 3 I, so that upon unwinding of the spring 31. it will rotate the arm, but normally holds the arm against a stop lug 35 in front of a pin 33, as shown in Figures 6 and 9.

The spring is wound or contracted by nger pieces 39 formed on a ratchet wheel 46 that is fixed to the rearend of the shaft and held thereon by a nut, and the wheel is held against retrograde movement by a spring pressed bawl 4|, which together with the wheel. are mounted Within a recess in the rear face of the wall 26.

Mounted for slidable movement between the l lugs 35 and the flange of the wall 26 is the outer or marginal ange 42 of a push button 43 which has an inner annular flange 44 formed thereon to engage the arm 3|, so that upon Vinward movement of the push button. the flange :44 'will move the arm into engagement with the head of the pin 33 in the path thereof, and the ycontact element 34 in engagement 4with the contact ring 32, so that the circuit having the engaged pin 3| and the pin I2 therein `will be Iclosed for firing a cartridge. The inward movement fof the arm 3l will likewise release it .from the lug 35 by which it was held, and the coil spring will move the arm to the next lug for 'disposal thereof in front of the next pin 33, all of'whic'h will be 'obvious upon inspection of Figures 6 and 9. The push button is held in normal position against a nut 45 on the forward end of the shaft and within a recess in the button, by a spring 46 sleeved on the shaft between the collar 30 and the inner face of the button, as clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10,

which likewise illustrates that the body of the button is of concavo-convex formation.

Secured to the rear face of the wall 26 upon opposite sides of the recess are attaching members 41 for a leg encircling strap 48 which is provided with suitable fastening means such as a buckle or the like for attaching the switch to the leg of the user preferably at the knee, as shown in Figure 1, for disposal in the path of the other knee for closing the switch.

'I'he body belt 2| has a casing 49 secured thereto for holding a battery 50 and a vibrator spark coil for intensifying the current to the contact pins I2. 'I'he battery has a conductor wire 5I between one side thereof and the contact ring 32 and a conductor wire 52 from its opposite side to a vibrator 53, the latter being connected in the primary circuit of the coil 54, and the primary circuit also has a condenser 55 therein. A conductor wire 56 in the secondary circuit of the coil is connected to the body plate I of the firing unit and a conductor .wire 51 likewise in the secondary circuit is connected to a conductor wire 58 in the primary circuit from the. condenser to the collar 30 of the contact arm 3|.

From the above description and disclosure in the drawings, it will be obvious that upon pressing the push button a circuit will be closed ,toa cartridge for firing the same, and upon alternate pushing and releasing the button, all of the cartridges can be fired in rapid succession, and` that action is accomplished merely by a slight movey ment of the legs,-

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understoodthat changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such. changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

,1. An electrical shooting device comprising a relatively at firing unit, means for attaching. the unit to the body of the user, electrically red carltridges, means within each of the cartridges .to

provide a spark gap, chambered means included in the unit for holding the cartridges in firing position, insulated contact means within the unit and engaged with the Aspark gap providing means of each cartridge, a battery current supplying means, a switch having a plurality of contact elements each electrically connected with the respective insulated contact means, a movable switch arm successively engageable with each contact element, a' resiliently extended push button and means operable upon actuation of said button to operate said switch arm, and means for .completing the lelectrical-circuit from said switchfarm through said current supply means to said chambered means, whereby 'repeated actuation of the push button will successively fire the cartridges. A 2. An electrical shooting device comprising a relatively flat firing unit, means for attaching the unit to the body of the user, electrically fired cartridges, meanswithin each Vof the cartridges toy provide a spark gap, said unit including a body. chambered means for holding the cartridges in red position and connected to the unit body `for movement relative -thereto to allow loading, latch means for securing vthe chambered means against movement, insulated contact members in the unit plying means, a switch v provide a spark body and engaged with the spark gap providing means of each cartridge, a battery current suphaving a plurality of contact yelements each electrically connected with the respective insulated contact means, a movable switch arm successivelyengageable with each contact element, a resiliently extended push button and means operable upon actuation'of said button to operate said switch arm, and means for completing the electrical circuit from said switch arm `through said current supply means to said chambered means, whereby repeated actuation of the4 push button will successively fire the cartridges.

3. An electrical shooting device comprising a relatively flat firing unit, straps for attaching the unit to the chest of the user, a plurality of cartridges, means within each of the cartridges to provide a spark gap for electrically ring the same, chambered means included in the unit for holding the cartridges in firing position, a plurality of insulated contact means within the unit and each engaged with one of the spark gap providing means, a battery current supplying means electrically connected to the chambered means, a switch including a plurality of insulated contact pins in circuit with said contact means for the respective cartridges, a contact ring in the switch, a rotatably mounted spring arm electrically connected to the current supplying means and normally spaced from and movable in successive engagement with the pins and ring for closing a circuit having the chambered means, the supplying means and the respective contact means therein for firing the respective cartridges, means for rotating the arm, spaced stop means arranged in the path of the arm to hold the same against rotation, and means for moving the arm out of its held position and into pin and ring engaging position. l

4. An electrical shooting device comprising a relatively fiat firing unit, means for attaching the unit to the chest of the user, electrically fired cartridges, means within each of the cartridges to gap, in the unit for holding the cartridges in ring position, a plurality of insulated contact means y within the unit and each engaged with the respective spark gap providing means, a battery current supplying means electrically connected to the chambered means, a switch including a body, insulated contact pins' in the body and in circuit with each of said contact means, an insulated contact ring in the body, a shaft mounted for rotation in the body and extending therethrough, a collar secured to the shaft, a spring arm electrically connected to the current supplying means and fixed to the collar and engageable with the pins and the ring for closing circuits having the chambered means, the supplying means and said contact means therein for firing the cartridges,

chambered means included' stop lugs disposed in th path of the spring arm to hold the latter against movement in front of any one of said contact pins, a spring pressed push button slidably mounted on the shaft for moving the spring arm away from the lugs and in vengagement with the contact pins and ring, a clock spring connected to the shaft and the arm for rotating the latter, and means for winding the clock spring.

5. An electrical lshooting device comprising a relatively fiat firing unit, means for attaching the unit to the chest of the user., electrically fired cartridges, means within each of the cartridges to provide a spark gap, chambered means included in the unit for holding the cartridges in ring position, a plurality of insulated contact means within the unit and each engaged with the respective spark gap providing means, a battery current supplying means electrically connected to the chambered means, a switch including a body, insulated contact pins in the body and in circuit with each of said contact means, an insulated contact ring in the body, a shaft mounted for v rotation in the body and extending therethrough,

spring,

a collar secured to the shaft, a spring arm electrically connected to the current supplying means and fixed to the collar and engageable with the pins and the ring for closing circuits having the chambered means, the supplying means and said contact means therein for firing the cartridges, stop lugs disposed in the path of the spring arm to hold the latter against movement in front of any one of said contact pins, a spring pressed push button slidably mounted on the shaft for moving the spring arm away from the lugs and in engagement with the contact pins and ring, a clock spring connected to the shaft and arm for rotating the latter, pawl and ratchet means for the clock spring 'and having the ratchet fixed to the shaft, means on the ratchet for winding the and means for attaching the switch to one knee vof the user for disposal in the path of the other knee for the latter to close the switch.

6. An electrical shooting device comprising a firing unit, means for attaching the unit to the body of a user, a plurality of cartridges each having individual spark gap means for firing the Same, chambers in the unit for receiving and holding the respective tion, contact means in the unit, one foreach cartridge and insulated from each other, current supplying means electrically connected to the chambers, and a plural contact switch having a switch arm electrically connected to the current supplying means and the respective contacts of the switch being electrically connected with the respective contact mea and the switch arm movable to close the circuit to each cartridge successively to fire the same.

FLOYD F.' LEININGER.

cartridges in firing posif 

